A Framework for Improving Knowledge Management Practices in Namibian Software Companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 1650003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Ejehiohen Iyawa
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Software Developer ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Software Companies ◽  
Km Strategy

Software development (SD) companies employ, train and provide software developers with the platform to improve their skills. Unfortunately, these investments are lost when a software developer resigns from the company or is not physically available to carry out work activities. This is a major problem experienced in Namibian SD companies. This paper investigates how knowledge is transferred and retained by software developers in Namibian SD companies. Using a case study approach, five software developers were purposively selected from five software companies in the city of Windhoek, Namibia. Data were collected using structured interviews. The findings revealed that Namibian SD companies do not have a formal knowledge management (KM) strategy in place, management is not involved in KM practices and experienced software developers are not willing to participate in the KM process as a result of job insecurities. The findings also revealed that knowledge gaps are created in Namibian SD companies when an experienced software developer resigns from the company, and this consequently hampers the SD process. Based on the findings, the study therefore proposes a knowledge management framework (KMF) for Namibian SD companies, which incorporates the needs of each software developer as well as the needs of the SD company to create an effective KM for Namibian SD companies. The KMF for Namibian SD companies were presented to five experts in the field of Software Engineering. The experts validated the KMF for Namibian SD companies and found it useful within the context of Namibian SD companies. The KMF for Namibian SD companies is expected to improve the way KM processes are carried out in Namibian software companies, providing a realistic approach to improving KM practices.

Developing an Integrated Model for Understanding Knowledge Management Practices in an Arab Country

2010 ◽  
pp. 176-197
Author(s):  
Minwir Al-Shammari
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Arab Country ◽  
Buying Behavior ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Important Region ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Knowledge Management Practices

This chapter seeks to develop a model for understanding Knowledge Management (KM) practice in an Arab socio-economic context. To achieve the objectives of the study, a conceptual KM model was proposed and described; it was then illustrated using a case study. The chapter adopts a case study approach as a powerful source of understanding the KM specificities. Twelve interviews were conducted with executives of a telecommunications company, and then were systemically analyzed. Based on the findings of the study, a profile of KM in an Arab country is developed as well as a holistic and integrative KM model. The final model concludes with a proposed a three-layer KM model. The first layer includes KM drivers (market liberalization, technological advancements, and customers’ preferences); the second includes KM processes (knowledge strategizing, sourcing, composing, sharing, and using), whereas the third layer includes KM enablers (KM buying behavior, convergence of business and technology, source-data quality, project championship, process-based structure, and sharing culture). However, the proposed model requires further testing through conducting more case studies to be able to capture the best practice of KM in this important region.

scholarly journals A CASE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS’ GROUP

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Christoph Voegeli
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Knowledge Management Practices ◽  
Basic Level

Purpose of the study: This study aims to gain an understanding of how (and if) the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) manages knowledge to create value. Methodology: Publicly available data about the IHG were assessed using Pawlowski and Bick’s (2015) Global Knowledge Management Framework (GKMFW) to determine the extent to which the IHG is implementing knowledge management (KM). Four experts reviewed the findings for validation. Main findings: Knowledge management (KM) practices are used by the IHG at a basic level. Data collected in this study indicate that the IHG is not connecting KM processes in its strategy. This research highlights that the IHG and potentially other hotel companies could integrate KM to enhance their performance. Applications of this study: The study’s findings are important for hotel industry stakeholders (academics, hotel executives, owners, etc.), assisting them to better understand “hotel KM”. Stakeholders are encouraged to implement holistic and purposeful KM programs (i.e., a framework), potentially delivering more value to their organizations. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study is the first attempt to investigate KM activities in one major standard-setting hotel company (SSHC), as defined by Boardman and Barbato (2008). It highlights the limitations in hotel-specific KM research and the limited way in which KM is being applied in the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). It not only identifies a gap in the literature about KM in the hospitality industry but starts to fill this gap.

Knowledge Management Practices in Brazilian Software Organizations

2010 ◽  
pp. 213-226
Author(s):  
Tatiana de Almeida Furquim ◽  
Sueli Angelica do Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Knowledge Practices ◽  
Software Companies ◽  
Knowledge Management Practices ◽  
Knowledge Intensive Organizations ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Software Organization

This chapter explores knowledge management practices in a software organization. It argues that software companies are knowledge intensive organizations and therefore they must properly address the matter of knowledge management. This case study highlights the importance of understanding the practices of knowledge management and describes knowledge acquisition, protection, transfer, and application practices in the context of a Brazilian software organization. The authors hope that this chapter increases understanding of existing knowledge practices in software organizations.

scholarly journals Toward A Business Resilience Framework for Startups

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3132
Author(s):  
Leo Aldianto ◽  
Grisna Anggadwita ◽  
Anggraeni Permatasari ◽  
Isti Raafaldini Mirzanti ◽  
Ian O. Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Process ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Continuous Innovation ◽  
Technology Capability ◽  
Resilience Framework ◽  
Business Resilience

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the disruption of the global economic sector, including for startup businesses. This encourages entrepreneurs to carry out a continuous innovation process to become more ambidextrous and continue to innovate in an effort to futureproof their business. The paper aims to provide a business resilience framework by exploring capability (innovation ambidexterity, dynamic capability, and technology capability), behavior (agile leadership), and knowledge (knowledge stock) in startup businesses. This study uses a literature review synthesis to gain a greater understanding of startup resilience and its implementation. This study also uses a case study approach in building a framework by obtaining data from semi-structured interviews with three startups owners in Indonesia. This preliminary research has identified four propositions that will be used to develop questionnaires and data collection instruments. Thus, this study provides new insights on how startups can overcome contradictory pressures for business resilience in anticipating, dealing with, and emerging from business turbulence due to the Covid-19 pandemic by considering the factors proposed in this study. The implications and recommendations of this study are also discussed in detail.

Social urbanism: public policy and place brand

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Place Brand ◽  
The City

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on how a public policy designed to address a social problem ultimately became the place brand.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a qualitative case study approach focusing on the city of Medellín, Colombia. It draws from fieldwork conducted in Medellín over 2014 and 2015, including semi-structured interviews with an array of local stakeholders.FindingsThe paper concludes that local governments should be aware that the policymaking process can become part of their branding. It also shows the importance of the continual involvement of stakeholders in the place brand process to ensure it is a sustainable brand.Originality/valueThere are limited studies which focus on how a public policy designed to address a social problem ultimately becomes the place brand. This paper shows how a public policy, social urbanism, became the branding of Medellín.

The use of environmental performance indicators in “the greenest city in Europe”

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Alpenberg ◽  
Tomasz Wnuk-Pel ◽  
Philip Adamsson ◽  
Johannes Petersson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Municipal Managers ◽  
Environmental Performance Indicators

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine why and how municipal managers and CEOs for municipally owned companies use the environmental performance indicators. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach as a research design was used. In total, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among managers for administrative departments and municipal company CEOs. Findings This study found that the environmental performance indicators are used by department managers mainly for resource allocation, control and for teaching the employees. The CEOs of the municipal companies use the environmental indicators for communicating with external stakeholders and see the indicators primarily as marketing tools. The main reason why the environmental performance indicators are used in the municipality can be the strong demand from the local politicians to push the “green agenda,” and therefore the managers have to comply. Research limitations/implications As in any case study, generalizations from the research should be made with care, but since this is only one municipality, further research is needed to find additional evidence. Practical implications The findings of this study have a number of implications for future practice, and it is worth mentioning that clear guidelines for how the information could be made more useful for managers at the managerial level in Växjö municipality (VM) are requested for both the municipal managers and the CEOs. Social implications Overall, this study strengthens the idea that environmental performance indicators could be used to a larger extent for communicating with external stakeholders both for municipal departments and companies. Originality/value The research adds to the literature by examining different patterns of using environmental performance indicators in a unique setting – in VM, which is called “the greenest city in Europe” and is one of the “pioneers” in environmental work and extensively uses performance indicators.

scholarly journals Sustainability Practice of a Multinational Oil Company in Nigeria: A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Charles Afam Anosike
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Community Relations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
High Level ◽  
Oil Company

Environmental degradation and socioeconomic dilemma continue to affect agricultural productivity in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Several works of literature confirm the high level of pollution and contamination of land and water as a result of over 50 years of oil production in the region. The effects of environmental pollution continue to aggravate the hardship of the local people, which generates development friction, threaten oil operation, and mutually contrive relational efforts, by so invoking mistrust between oil companies and the host communities. Sustainability programs of oil companies often provide the channel to engage and promote community relations from which projects are conceived and executed. Despite sustainability efforts of oil companies, the region continues to experience oil spills and environmental degradation.Hence, the current research explores the sustainability efforts of a multinational oil company to establish whether the company’s leadership makes environmental considerations and to identify possible corrections that could be adopted to achieve sustainable value. For this purpose, the paper employed a single case study approach using open-ended interview sessions in collecting data. Research data were gathered from a sample of 20 experienced sustainability practitioners of the oil company, partnering nonprofit organizations, and community leaders through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were segmented and categorized. The data analysis process revealed several themes regarding the challenges and shortfalls of sustainability programs in the region. The evidence found suggests that implementing a transparent and inclusive sustainability management system is essential to enable a systems view in contemplating sustainability programs. In so doing, oil MNCs leaders could enable effective environmental consideration in their sustainability programs to help reinvigorate productive agriculture and ensure continuing oil operation.

scholarly journals Connecting Inward and Outward Internationalisation of Malaysian SMEs: A Learning Approach

2018 ◽  
pp. 264-275
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship

When SMEs are part of global value chain, the flows of information in cross-border buyer-supplier relationships which emerge from inward-outward internationalisation connections should be addressed. This study therefore investigates the learning processes of internationalising small and medium enterprises that engage in inward and outward internationalisation. Hence, this study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on ten cases of the internationalising SMEs in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews with the Managing Directors of the selected SMEs were conducted over a two-year period. Additionally, participant observations were conducted by attending the meetings related to import-export activities and documentations were gathered for data triangulation Findings of this study highlights that the relationship with key foreign suppliers empowered case firms to connect inward to outward internationalisation through collaborative knowledge sharing. The distribution of knowledge through tacit-tacit and tacit-explicit knowledge sharing underpinned by formal planning was a prerequisite for inward-outward internationalisation connections to be established.

scholarly journals Strengthening the Effectiveness of Aid Delivery in Teacher Education: A Fiji Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Donasiano Kalou Ruru
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
National Development ◽  
International Aid ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Aid Effectiveness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Paris Declaration ◽  
The Pacific

<p>As a result of increasing development challenges and higher aid allocations to the Pacific, questions of aid effectiveness have become increasingly important. Efforts to professionalise aid delivery tools have been accompanied by debates over whether delivery tools are effective and compatible with more democratic and empowering relationships with beneficiaries. My research examines the effectiveness of international aid to teacher development, using the AusAID funded projects at Lautoka Teachers' College as a case study and the Fiji College of Advanced Education as background study. The conditions governing aid delivery mechanisms are explored, including logical frameworks, participatory processes, and financial probity. These conditions have been drawn from the 'Paris Declaration of Aid Effectiveness' and each is considered to be critical if aid effectiveness is to be enhanced and the investment sustained. Based on participatory research methodology, carried out through 'talanoa sessions', semià à ¢ structured interviews, and analysis of programme documents, the study explored the extent to which aid programmes and management practices are constrained by donor conditions, succeed in meeting their stated aims, and what sort of unintended consequences are generated. Further, the research identified how aid can best improve future aid to the Fiji education system through its delivery, impact and sustainability for national development, as laid out in the Pacific Principles of Aid Effectiveness The study also highlights the growing convergence between the 'aid donors' interests' and 'aid recipients' needs'. The debate on this relationship is necessary to reinvigorate thinking on the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The study draws up a practical framework, an aid bure designed as a heuristic device to assess the effectiveness of aid delivery for Fiji. The model may also be relevant to the wider Pacific context, and contribute to the global quest for a concrete guide to best practice which above all will continue to foster more sensitive, effective and enduring links between recipient countries and international aid donors.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring the Learning Journeys of Academic Head of Department Preparations and Access to Their Roles: The Case of a Selected University in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. p11
Author(s):  
Gloria Nyame
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Educational Leaders ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Academic Leaders ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Head Of Department

Leadership training for educational leaders in the academia has been considered paramount to empower them both for leadership and management skills, knowledge and experience necessary to bring about quality in teaching and learning. Majority of the academic leaders are appointed without any preparation for the role and tend to struggle on the role in order to be effective. Most studies carried out on academic leaders in Africa focus mainly on challenges, roles and theories of leadership. This study explores the journeys involved in the preparations of academics who become Head of Departments in a selected university in Ghana in order to enable them play their roles effectively. The case study approach was used to study the journeys involved in the preparations of 16 academic HoDs in a selected university in Ghana, focusing on how they accessed their roles, their understanding about the roles, preparations they have had on the roles and the preparations they would have wished for the roles. It sought to describe, understand and interpret the learning journeys of academic HoDs regarding how they became HoDs and preparations they received to be effective in their roles. Interviews and documentary evidence were employed. Semi structured interviews were conducted with sixteen university head of departments. Using thematic analysis, the study revealed among others that most newly appointed academic HoDs were not given formal training before they began to play their roles, Again, the findings revealed different degrees of preparations which were mainly informal and were not directly linked to the roles of the HoDs, which were consistent with the literature that majority of academic HoDs did not receive preparations for their roles and tended to use their experiences to play their roles. Based on these findings, recommendations are that there should be a formal training on the HoD’s duties and their implementations for all newly appointed HoDs to enrich them with the necessary skills and knowledge to make them effective and efficient. There is the need to conduct needs assessment from the HoDs to inform their preparation or training and development of HoDs manual to serve as a reference guide to the HoDs. It is hoped that the findings will contribute to effective preparations of the academic HoDs. The research may also lead to the production of HoD’s manuals. More importantly, it may inform policies to identify areas for effective preparations of the academic HoDs.

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